St. Mary’s College of Maryland students raised $36,103.15 for the American Cancer Society in their second annual Relay for Life, held on the college campus on February 26-27, 2011. More than 300 students, faculty, and staff participated in the event.

Joanne Goldwater, associate dean of students/director of residence life had a personal investment in the success of the event, which she shared afterwards: “As a recent breast cancer survivor, I am absolutely delighted by the overwhelming response our Relay for Life got from our campus community.  We more than doubled the amount of money we raised last year. The coordinating committee, led by students Elise Valkanas ’12 and Olivia Marzano ’13, with the help of the college's Coordinator of Service and Social Change, Sola Ogundele ’10, organized a wonderful night full of activities, remembrances, and hope.”

St. Mary's College of Maryland, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. More than 2,000 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary's River in Southern Maryland.